Today I met Jesus and Obama's brother

Yesterday was one of my favorite days here in Uganda. We went and walked through the community, which is a slum, where Rays of Hope school is. We went to tell the people about Jesus Christ and I must say it started off very interesting. The first man I met told me that he actually was Jesus Christ. He said that he needed us to fund his work here so that he could preach. He also told us that he was a Muslim. So we met a Muslim, Jesus/ preacher who needs money to tell people about Christ. Another man that I talked to told me that he was Obama's brother. I had to take advantage of this and have a little fun. I asked him how many siblings were in the family and he told me around 200. He also told me that he would take me in one of his six helicopters (which were flown by white people- he made sure I knew that) to Yugoslavia to visit Obama. So Obama is in Yugoslavia? Who knew? Then he said for me to tell Obama his brother said hello and he told me to use his phone that directly connects me to him for free. This conversation pretty much made my day.

However, on a more serious note… We spent the first 45 minutes talking to a Muslim woman and trying to explain to her who Jesus is. She laughed in our face when we talked about him being the Son of God and not a messenger. She said that she would never believe that Jesus is the Son of God. She listened though, the rest is up to the Lord. Her friend was there who is from Gulu (northern part of Uganda where the war is). She had two children, one was mentally disabled and the other one lame. She asked us to pray over her and her children. It just broke my heart to see her children, but also encouraged me to see a mother here still seeking strength to raise these two children. We then walked deeper into the slum and saw some people gathered around drinking out of this very long, thin pipe from a small pot, which I quickly realized was alcohol. They asked us to come over and talk to them. This is where I met Obama's brother. Tori got to talking to this one lady who seemed sincerely interested in who Jesus is. She asked a lot of questions and ended up surrendering her life to Christ. She then asked us to come back with her to her home and meet her family and pray with her. She is a widow with four children. Two of her children were there (they are teenagers) and one of her friends followed us back. We crammed into their small living room and got to share the Gospel with her friend and two children. They surrendered their lives to Christ and asked us to come back to walk them through the Bible while we are here (discipleship, yes please)! " But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us" (2 Corinthians 4:7). " For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek" (Romans 1:16). Lastly, we came to a group of people sitting out selling fruit and vegetables. When we walked by, they asked us to stop and talk to them. One man caught our attention and asked us to tell him about Jesus. He said he was Muslim. We talked about what he believed for a minute and then he asked me to explain to him who Christ is and what is considered sin. I was thrown a little off guard because I realized that in America we get so caught up in the deep theological discussions, that we forget the simplicity of the gospel. " For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel, and not with words of eloquent wisdom, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power" ( 1 Corinthians 1: 17). Joel also spent some time discussing with him and then he said he wanted to surrender his life to Christ. He also asked us to come back while we are here and take him through the Word. I will admit I was a little hesitant on his sincerity, but I was immediately reminded who am I to judge? The Lord calls me to tell all about Him and He will do the rest. He will seal them with the promised Holy Spirit. I cannot forgot about the power of God and so quickly I do. " I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth. So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God who gives the growth" (1 Corinthians 3:6).

We got back to the school in just enough time to be a part of their devotion. Again, it is the best worship time we have here. They follow singing with prayer. They all prayed at the same time out loud, then they laid hands on each one of us and prayed individually for us. Josh, Carrie's friend that came for the week, gave the message. We sang some more and enjoyed the rest of the afternoon hanging out with the kids.

Also, we found out that Victoria has an enlarged heart. Jay took her the next day to the hospital to get some tests run and they said she will be fine. She does not need surgery. Another answer to our prayers!

The Lord continues to allow us to be a part of His miraculous works that happen daily. I just pray that we would have open eye to see them and willingness to obey Him.

"Behold, I am the Lord, the God of all flesh. Is anything too hard for me?" Jeremiah 32:27

A month into it all...

We are now about half way through our time here. It is crazy to think that we have already been here a month! This past week the Lord really helped me take a step back from everything and look at all that is taking place. To take a look at how the Lord is intertwining everything together and there is a greater story in process than we can see now. I can see a lot more coming together and know that I am in a season of learning and waiting. Walking by the Spirit and waiting are the two key things now that is a must from us in order to gain discernment and wisdom. The greatest thing to discover for me right now is seeing the work the Lord has done in me since I was young being pieced together and given meaning.

As some of you know we took all 17 of the kids to the doctor for check-ups last week and not one of them have HIV, typhoid, or malaria. Talk about a blessing from the Lord! Seventeen orphans and none of them have HIV! That is a miracle in itself. We did however have some funny stories after our doctor’s visits. Carrie and I took the first five together. Vanita has been sick so she had a permanent IV in her hand and would get medicine put in it everyday. Well, Carrie decided to sit back there with her while they put more medicine in her hand. About 2 minutes into this I hear, “Catherine, Catherine, I can’t do this! I am about to pass out. Catherine!” So I walked back there and Carrie came out to sit on the chair and when I turned around Carrie looked up at me and then just flipped out of her chair! Ha, five minutes into this and Carrie has passed out. I was thinking, if we can’t get Carrie through this there is no way that 17 children are going to make it when they draw their blood. Lets just say that that was Carrie’s last trip to the doctor. Tori and I finished up the rest.

We have also been able to spend a good bit of time at Joel’s school, Rays of Hope. We are helping paint the rooms and are trying to finish up some small projects he has for us. Wednesday’s are their devotion days for the older students and this week we decided to join them. The students led us in singing and dancing. It was probably the best worship time I have had since we have been here. I sat amongst the students this time and sang, danced, and prayed with them and just felt immersed in the love and joy of Christ. Allen ended up giving the message and Joel told him to ask if any of the students wanted to surrender their lives to Christ. As soon as he asked 30-40 students jumped up to the front. I stood amazed for the next fifteen minutes as everything played out. Joel was sure to explain to them that this can’t have anything to do with white people being here. We stood up there with them for the next 15 minutes and explained to them, the best way we could, the Gospel and what it means to surrender your life to Christ.

The Spirit of the Lord is moving, through these kids, through the kids at Sozo, through our time with Kenneth (our driver), and throughout this city as those kids go and tell their parents and as we walk the streets in the community sharing the good news. I am excited about the upcoming week because we will be finishing up our work at Joel’s school so that we can spend our time in the community telling the people about Christ.

Relationships are being reconciled. Opportunities to share Christ are arising left and right. Students are surrendering their lives to Christ. Their parents are hearing the Gospel and seeing the joy of Christ in them. Orphans are being cared for. We are growing and learning. I would say that so far it hasn’t been too bad of a summer. Glory be to the Lord

Just a few fun facts… I tried to kill a chicken last week and got half way through because I could not get through the skin and gave up. It was too much for me to handle. However, I have been told that I would have to try again tomorrow. Jay and Allen have both tried grasshoppers and I too might have to give that a try. Kenneth said he would let me drive the car to the orphanage one day (not to sure about doing that). Bungee jumping is quickly approaching as well… African adventures continue!

The Small Things

This past Sunday we loaded up all the kids again and went to Watoto Church near the home. The pastor talked about the roles of the church and defined their church and their mission in Uganda and in all the nations. It was a really good service. This part of the sermon really intrigued me…

New Testament __ Church Today

Location: house to house - church building

Size: small and intimate - large, impersonal

Activities: daily - weekly service

Ministry: by all believers - fulltime pastors

Pastor’s Duty: equip - preach well

Key Words: Go! Make disciples. - Come, grow with us

Involvement: participate - watch, spectate

Focus: people - programs

May we constantly recognize our need for Christ, and be rooted and grounded in Him, that we may glorify Him by being a church willing to love and serve, thereby becoming His pure bride.

This week I have been more mentally drained then ever, yet at the same time I have never felt more spiritually renewed. If a day went by this week where I was not refocused through Scripture, it was not going to be a good day. I have never felt more reliance on the Word then now. I have also never felt this much intimacy with the Lord. The small things have once again captured my attention and drawn me deeper into His love. We may not have a big day, but when I sat by Lake Victoria and watched all the kids dance to music around the car, knowing where they were a month ago, my heart could do nothing but rejoice. I couldn’t help but see the love of Christ in a little mute and mostly deaf girl that followed us around the school all day with a constant smile, laughing and wanting to play with us. I could see the humbleness of Christ in the Ugandan family who invited us to dinner and served us a Ugandan feast that was probably very expensive for them. The hope of Christ when we do devotion with the kids at night and they each stand up and thank Christ for food, shelter, love, and each other. Just before testimony time they all pray out loud at the same time. We asked Aggie what were some of the things they prayed about and she said they asked for wisdom, prayed for the kids at Mercy Home that are not being taken care of, prayed for the kids on the streets, thanked the Lord for giving them food that day, and Dennis (usually the one getting in trouble) asked that the Lord would change his attitude so that he could be nice and not disobey. The love of Christ is in the conversations, in Victoria’s smile, Fatuma’s laugh, and Vivian’s gentleness. I thank Him for making me aware of the beauty around me and allowing me to take part in it.

Last week we got to spend some time at Rays of Hope with our friend Joel. When we arrived they had a devotion planned. Their choir sang and a few people welcomed us then Carrie, Tori, and Allen led worship for a little while, followed by Mason’s message. Afterwards Joel caught us up on what had happened since we left and it was so encouraging to see that what the Lord started last year was being brought to fruition. Joel said that one particular man we told about Christ last year really did turn his life around and was still seeking the Lord. I got to meet some of the orphans that were now in school because of the money raised, they were being served breakfast everyday now, and they had new desks. Joel’s ministry is still moving forward and the people of Kabalagala are hearing about Christ. I did not know this last year when the Lord placed this area on our hearts, but apparently it is one of the poorer areas, prostitution and drunkenness are prominent, and there are very few people serving there. Joel said that they have been doing devotions once a week for the past year and the children go home and tell their parents about what they have learned, a good bit of them being prostitutes. The Word of God is spreading, people are hearing and believing! I thought this was very encouraging to see the work of the Lord being continued no matter where we are. It is the Lord who gives the growth, not man.

This coming up week we will hopefully be helping Jay and Allen take all the kids to the doctor to get checked out. Please be praying for them. I am sure they will all be tested for HIV. We are going back to Joel’s to work on Wednesday and Friday. Please continue to pray that we would always have a servant’s heart and that we would have opportunities to share the Gospel with people.

Thank you for your prayers!